Jace walked them to the clinic door and locked it behind him. They were technically closed that day, but he saw emergency cases and always scheduled Riley for the open day. The second he locked the front door, he was out the back and in his car heading for Stella’s.
Jace was pulling into the bustling garden center less than ten minutes after closing his clinic. He saw cars with license plates from all the surrounding counties as he parked. Jace spotted Karl first. He was leading a woman with a cartful of flowers toward the barn.
“Dr. Davies!” was the only warning Jace got before April flung herself at him. Jace caught her and lifted her up so she could wrap her little legs around his waist. “Did you bwing Cwicket?”
“I didn’t, but I can ask my mom if she plans on stopping by today.” April nodded her head, sending her blonde pigtails swinging into his face.
Jace sent the message and his mom instantly responded. “She said they are going to come over to see you in just a little bit. Now, can you tell me where Aunt Stell is?”
April shrugged. “I can’t keep up with her. My mommy is in the barn taking money and my daddy is cawying heavy things to cars for people. Aunt Stell is walking around answewing questions. I saw her in the twees.”
Jace looked around. There were too many rows of trees to count. His best course of action was to stay around the main area and keep an eye out. “It looks busy, and I bet your daddy would appreciate some help.”
Jace let April drag him to her father. He had dark circles under his eyes and he was constantly looking around as he smiled at each customer. There was a look of relief when he saw Jace.
Jace leaned down to April and smiled kindly at her. “Thank you for helping me find your daddy. If you see your Aunt Stell, can you tell her I’m here?”
April nodded enthusiastically. “I’ll tell her!”
Jace stood and the two men quietly watched April run off with Jimmy trailing after her until she was out of earshot. “How is she?” Jace asked. There was no need to say who the she was. It was clear Karl was worried about his sister.
“Pretending nothing happened. It was awful, Jace. I felt so helpless to stop the messages. Just the word whore over and over and over. Deputy Sharp was there when I arrived, but I could see Stella’s eyes were red and swollen from crying. She had been so scared when she’d called me.”
“Matt—he’s the sheriff—told me Andy talked to Stella’s ex this morning.”
Karl’s mouth tightened. “Rick Hudson. They dated for seven months. He is such an egotistical user. He only cared if you could do something for him. Deputy Sharp stopped by after he talked to Rick to return Stella’s phone and said there was no evidence it was Rick who sent the messages. He’d seemed surprised by the news but not overly upset. He cooperated, but I saw the texts. They were from an unknown number. Rick could have used a burner phone.”
“I’m sorry for whatever role I played in it,” Jace confessed. The guilt had been eating away at him since Matt had told him about it.
Karl looked surprised for a second before shaking his head. “It’s not your fault. It’s his. He can’t stand to lose and that’s what he felt happened when Stella broke up with him. It was an insult to his ego.” Karl used his dirt-covered gloved hand to refit his baseball cap in frustration. “Look, don’t let Rick ruin something that could be really good for you and my sister. You’re a good guy and you two deserve to be happy or at least have a shot at it.”
“Do you think Stella wants to see me?”
“I’d say yes, based on how fast she’s walking over here,” Karl said as his lips turned up into a tired grin. “I’d better get back to work or the boss will yell at me.”
“I’ll be right there to help you out. I’m off for the rest of the day and can lend a hand.”
“Thanks, Jace,” Karl said before heading off for the barn to help the next customer with their larger orders.
Jace walked toward Stella. The need to be near her had him walking quickly to the middle of the garden center. They were surrounded by flower, herb, fruit, and vegetable displays when they finally met.
“How are you?” Jace asked as soon as he stopped in front of Stella.
“You heard?”
Jace’s lips tilted up as he tried not to laugh at her surprise. “It’s a small town. Everyone probably knows. It also helps that the sheriff is my cousin-in-law.”
Stella unexpectedly burst out laughing. “Camila was right, there are so many cousins.” Jace enjoyed the moment when she completely forgot about the texts. It didn’t last long, though, and soon her smile slipped. “It was horrible, Jace. I’ve always thought of myself as strong. I’m a single woman who has built my own business from nothing to this. I’ve always lived alone and never feared going toe to toe to fight for what I want. It frightened me and made me feel weak.”
Jace saw her suck in her breath and look away. Her lashes batted as if she were trying not to cry as she took some slow deep breaths. “You’re not weak for being upset. I’d be more worried if you just ignored it.”
Stella reached out and took his hand in his and gave it a squeeze. “Thank you. And thank you for the text this morning. It was a nice one to get after being afraid of every time my phone got a message. I had a great time, too.”
“Do we dare try for a second date?” Jace asked with hope that she’d say yes.
“I’d like that very much.”
“How about I come pick you up and take you to my place? I can cook dinner in the privacy of my home. No one will know.”
He saw the relief in Stella’s face along with the excitement. “That sounds perfect.” Stella’s gaze went to something behind him. “I’m sorry, but I see someone who needs help.”
“Go be the successful business owner you are. I’m going to help your brother. I can take you to dinner once everything is done for the day.” Jace liked that plan. It let him keep a protective eye on Stella all day. Only there was one problem, and he had a remedy for it. He’d have to pay for it, but he’d do anything for Stella.
“You’re going to stay and help?”
“Don’t worry, I’ve done my fair share of work with plants.” After all, his father owned an enormous farm and invented new technology for farmers that made it possible for his family to be financially secure for life. That didn’t mean anyone in his family was just coasting through life. Piper had caught the inventor gene from their dad, only she invented things having to do with nanotechnology. Dylan didn’t. He was more like their Uncle Miles, but he got the drive to help people from their parents. He and his wife, Abby, did black ops at the order of the president to protect America and people around the world who needed to be freed from oppression. And then there was his younger sister, Cassidy.
Cassidy was quick to pick up languages and incredibly compassionate. She used her skills to help nonprofits apply for grants. She offered free translations for them when she wasn’t working for the Rahmi royal family. Cassidy frequently traveled to Washington, D.C., New York City, London, and Germany at their request to interpret for them. The king trusted her to accompany him since Mo and Dani considered her practically family. She’d even been hired by Draven last summer.